2014 football top 10 countdown

Are you ready for some football? We still have time to kill before the 2014 high school football openers, so kill it we will with a time-honored summer tradition: top 10 lists of Oregon's best high school football players. This is not meant to be scientific, but rather, one person’s opinion of the top 10 players at each position. The rankings are based on various factors: all-state and all-league teams, recruiting rankings and observations from the past season. Coaches were not consulted for their opinions.

However, we want to know your opinion. Are we right? Did we shank one into the bleachers? Is there someone missing? Please, sign in and tell us your opinion below. At the end of each week, you’ll also have an opportunity to vote on the top 10 list, so be sure to frequently return for updates.

No. 1 Keegan Hlad, sr., West Salem: Hlad is coming off a 45-catch, 900-yard junior year, numbers the 6-4 senior could double in 2014. Hlad and quarterback Cade Smith figure in any discussion as the state’s top quarterback-receiver duo this fall. Because of his size and athleticism, Hlad is considered a Division I prospect, though he has yet to get an offer. Northwest Elite Index says Hlad was an offensive MVP at its 7-on-7 camp in Las Vegas this spring.

No. 3 Marshawn Edwards, sr., Parkrose: Some might think the 5-9 Edwards is a little overrated here, but the hunch is that he’s going to have a big year as Jonathan Boland’s favorite receiver. Edwards caught 36 passes, 10 for touchdowns, during the Broncos’ breakout campaign of 2013. A second-team 5A all-state receiver, Edwards is listed on some recruiting lists as an athlete because of his versatility.

No. 4 Trevon Bradford, jr., Oregon City: It will be interesting to see how first-year coach Randy Nyquist deploys the 5-8 Bradford, one of the state’s top athletes. As a sophomore, Bradford averaged better than 23 yards per reception, and scored six touchdowns. Bradford has speed to spare, which he showed in returning a kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown in the Pioneers’ 21-17 win over Lake Oswego last fall. Bradford is a force on both sides of the ball; we named him No. 6 among the state’s top defensive backs.

No. 5 Jared Evans, sr., North Medford: The 6-3 Evans might be underrated here, but we’ll let the upcoming season determine that. Evans is a salty No. 5 coming off a junior year where he was an all-league first team pick after catching 49 passes for 818 yards and nine touchdowns. Evans had a stretch of three consecutive 100-yard games midway through the season, including an eight-catch, 143-yard performance against rival South Medford.

No. 6 Devon Fortier, sr., Canby: This is a gut pick more than anything else, as Fortier hasn’t played much football the past two years. But if Fortier can dust off his football skills, he will be a handful this fall. Fortier is the reigning Class 6A state champion in 100 and 200 meters, and ran the state’s fastest times in those events last spring. Canby previously used Fortier as a running back, but plan to move him to slot this fall.

No. 7 Maleko Arango, sr., Gresham: At 6-2, 210 pounds, Arango is an imposing figure as a wide receiver. Arango is a three-year starter who helped lead the Gophers into the 6A state playoffs a year ago as a first-team all-Mount Hood Conference selection. Northwest Elite Index rates Arango No. 4 in its recruiting rankings for class of 2015 receivers.

No. 8 Dylan Frederick, sr., Hillsboro: The 6-foot, 180-pound Frederick was all-Pacific first team a year ago, a bright light in what was a dismal season for the Spartans. Frederick caught 60 passes for 897 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. Frederick can be a big-play receiver, as he went for 220 yards on seven receptions against Tigard late last season.

No. 9 Hunter Knighton, sr., Oregon City: The 6-2 Knighton could have a big year, in part because of his talent, in part because he’s surrounded by two dynamic offensive players in receiver Trevon Bradford and running back Conner Mitchell. Knighton struggled with injuries during his junior year, but when healthy, made an impression, including a seven-catch, 147-yard, three touchdown performance against David Douglas. Knighton’s athletic ability stretches beyond football. Knighton is one of the state’s top basketball shooters, as last winter he hit 10 3-pointers during a tournament game in Alaska.

No. 10 Teagen Lind, sr., Westview: Tight ends qualify for this list of receivers, and the 6-5 Lind is a good one. As a junior, Lind caught 39 passes for 536 yards. Lind should be among the major offensive weapons in the Metro League this season. And in a pinch, Lind might be able to play quarterback or throw an option pass: in the spring in baseball, he threw a no-hitter against Southridge.